 |
|
| movies |
| Monsters Ball Hank (Billy Bob Thornton) plays a corrections officer on death row in a prison in Georgia, his son is also a guard as was his father. Througha series of tragic events Hank forms a relationship with Letitia (Halle Berry) the widow of an executed prisoner who Hank watched over during his last day (known as the Monsters Ball). This is one of the bravest films I have seen in a long time and perhaps set to be one of the best films of the year already. Thornton and Berry are on top form delvering subtle yet anguished performances with an uncompromising depiction of a deeply racist society and culture. (Finnish director) Marc Forster's direction is stylish yet still touching and moving. The film is brillantly photographed and edited giving a murky and noirish feel, with an interesting emphasis on small inanimate details. There are many images in this film that will linger in your mind for a long time to come. There is excellent support from Heath Ledger, Peter Boyle and Sean Combes (yes P-Diddy!) The first of the film is difficult and deeply depressing, and it wouyld be easy to walk away from this film half way through thoroghly misearble BUT the whole point of this movie is that through all this misery and darkness there is warmth and hope, not in the usual Hollywood sentimental shallowness of easy answers ( I am Sam) but thru strong charcterisation, a real humanity. A rare movie that deserves far more than the meagre couple of Oscar nominations it has been dealt out. 10/10 |